Investigating the distribution status of Large -scaled Rock Agama (Laudakia nupta) in Kermanshah province by using Ensemble method

To implement management plans in the landscape, it is necessary to examine the range of distribution and the approximate range of distribution of different plant and animal species. Kermanshah province plays an important role in the west of the country with its unique topographical location and the presence of numerous habitats in terms of biodiversity. The aim of this study is to investigate the distribution status and analyze the fators affecting the distribution of Large -scaled Rock Agama (Laudakia nupta) in Kermanshah province.

In this study, in order to investigate the range of distribution of Large -scaled Rock Agama (Laudakia nupta), field surveys were carried out in the province and different habitats of this species during the years 2018 to 2020. Then, using the species presence data and the considered habitat variables, the modeling steps were done with the help of Ensemble modeling. In this regard, 76 species presence points along with climatic variables, vegetation and precipitation were included in the distribution models. The AUC criterion was used to the importance of variables and data integration criteria.

The results indicated that modeling was successful for both single and Ensemble models. According to the forecast in Kermanshah province, the distribution of species is most influenced by soil organic carbon, vegetation cover, and altitude.

The findings of this research show that parts of the habitat that correspond to the presence of altitudes are contiguous suitability and there are areas of the habitat that are fragmented in the southeast of the province. The higher parts of the north-west of the province are not suitable for the presence of the species, which could be due to the presence of Caucasian agama (Laudakia caucasia).